The National Women’s Soccer League commences a new season this weekend in what promises to be an exciting year in the US, straddling a hotly-contested World Cup tournament. Here are some things to keep your eye on as the NWSL’s 12 teams prepare to kick off on Saturday evening.
Breaking down the teams
The NWSL is a parity-driven league, bolstered by the draft and other off-season new signings. There’s no end to its tales of rejuvenation. For better and worse, anything can happen. Let us not forget, this is the league that saw Kansas City Current come last in 2021, then dance with Portland Thorns in the 2022 final.
Kansas City took the league by storm in their revitalisation year. In the off-season, they freshened up even further. The Current approached the college draft as an existential matter, accruing the potential Rookie of the Year candidate Michelle Cooper and snagging Debinha from bidders near and far. With key depth built to bolster them in a World Cup year, they have the talent, depth, management and facilities to make their mark as a powerhouse this season.
In 2023 multiple clubs in key markets hope to plot similar paths of revitalisation. Gotham FC look most likely. With Lynn Williams new on the roster (healthy, scoring, vying for a World Cup spot), Midge Purce poised to make a mark and Yazmeen Ryan acquired, Gotham seem ready to at least return to the playoffs.
Speaking of the playoffs, Houston Dash made their first ever appearance in them last year. They look likely to carry forward that success, bolstering their squad by grabbing the talents of Diana Ordóñez from North Carolina Courage.
On the other hand, Chicago Red Stars made the playoffs last year as well … but just barely. I’ve a feeling an equally small margin will be unkind in 2023. Though admittedly, it’s near impossible to write off any team featuring Mallory Swanson in the electric form she is in at the moment. Come to think of it, it is hard work writing off any of these teams completely.
That being said, Angel City FC, Racing Louisville, Chicago Red Stars, Washington Spirit, North Carolina Courage and Orlando Pride could be fighting their way into the playoff spots as underdogs and dark horses. I’d put their likelihood of succeeding in the order they are listed.
Kansas City Current, Portland Thorns, San Diego Wave and OL Reign should rule the top of the table.
Getting to know new names
Angel City FC’s Alyssa Thompson broke records as the youngest No 1 draft pick in NWSL. She made her national team debut last fall at Wembley Stadium, coming on for Megan Rapinoe in the second half against England at just 17 years old. Still a teenager, Thompson seems to be ready for the NWSL season, scoring against Club América in her friendly debut a few weeks ago. And Angel City may need her, especially as the status of their other injured stars remains in flux.
Thompson’s main competition for the Rookie of the Year award will likely come from the midwestern powerhouses Kansas City Current, where Duke’s Michelle Cooper embarks on her debut season. Bolstering a deep squad, Cooper has plugged into the starting lineups in pre-season and scored goals of her own.
Advancing the league
Growth, advancement, and the global market are high on the mind of the NWSL commissioner, Jessica Berman, as she steers the league into a pivotal season. Previewing the year on Monday, Berman told media she had travelled globally to study NWSL’s peers and international competitors in the off season. She also went on a “listening tour” to speak with NWSL players, gauging their concerns and interests for the coming year.
One tangible outcome of that tour is new investment in broadcast production. Players told Berman they yearned for broadcast quality able to showcase their talents and story. The league has sought to respond. New and exciting broadcasters have been introduced, ranging from Tony Meola to Jacqui Oatley and the NBA announcer Kate Scott.
In the supporters’ end, Berman cited a 20% increase in season ticket holders league-wide. Labelling ticket holders the “rocket fuel” of the league, Berman indicated they hope to continue “breaking records”.
Berman also stated that 25-30% of NWSL players are predicted to play in this year’s World Cup. That’s a stat the league is proud of. NWSL plans to launch marketing campaigns to highlight that breadth of World Cup talent representing a wide range of national teams in Australia and New Zealand. Berman says the NWSL will also send marketing teams to the tournament this summer.
And finally, the league will introduce VAR this year, becoming the first women’s league to do so globally.
Recommended viewing
There are a lot of good shouts for noteworthy goals this week. But Becky McGrother’s rocket from space for Derby County takes the cake.
WHAT A HIT🚀
— Derby County Women (@DCFCWomen) March 20, 2023
🎯@beckymcg25 with a sweet strike!#DCFCW #EweRams pic.twitter.com/rnMsEua1ap
Have a question for our writers – or want to suggest a topic to cover? Get in touch by emailing moving.goalposts@theguardian.com or posting BTL.
This is an extract from our weekly women’s football email, Moving the Goalposts. To subscribe, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
